SpaceX aims for early Friday rocket launch
Note: Follow live updates and video of the early Friday launch attempt here.
Cooler, drier weather is expected to clear the way for SpaceX to launch a Falcon 9 rocket and Japanese communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station first thing on Friday, at 1:21 a.m.
There's less than a 10 percent chance of weather violating launch rules during the two-hour window at Launch Complex 40, according to the Air Force's 45th Weather Squadron.
But gusty winds around the launch pad will be watched as a potential threat.
Storms on Wednesday forced a one-day delay to the launch, which had been scheduled for 1:21 a.m. Thursday.
On top of the 230-foot Falcon 9 is the JCSAT-14 satellite owned by Tokyo-based SKY Perfect JSAT, Asia's largest satellite operator with 15 in orbit.
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The mission aims to deliver the satellite on its way to an orbit more than 22,000 miles over the equator.
After the rocket's nine first-stage engines burn out, SpaceX will attempt to land the booster on a ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
However, the company says a successful landing is unlikely because of the high speed at which the rocket will return to the ship. The attempt will be SpaceX's latest experiment aimed at developing a reusable Falcon 9 booster.
The company last month landed its first rocket stage at sea, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk hopes to see it launch again this summer.
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Launch details
Mission: JCSAT-14 communications satellite for SKY Perfect JSAT
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9
Launch Time: 1:21 a.m. Friday
Launch Window: to 3:21 a.m. Friday
Launch Complex: 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Weather: >90 percent “go”
Visit floridatoday.com at 12:30 a.m. Friday for countdown chat and updates, including streaming of SpaceX’s launch Webcast starting around 1 a.m.